Allegiance

Chapter 48

The coin-like artifact in Blaine's hands began to glow white with mana as he activated it, staring maliciously at Varay.

Varay stiffened, her body snapping to attention involuntarily. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, tears of frustration forming in her eyes as she glared at Blaine.

"Your Majesties!" Alea yelled urgently, wide-eyed with shock at this turn of events. Alea quickly moved forward, so she was standing protectively in front of the Eraliths, and she formed a plant sword in her right hand. "Get behind me!"

The Eraliths didn't argue. Alduin and Merial backed up to the wall, seeing they couldn't escape as Blaine stood near the exit. Virion positioned himself in front of Alduin and Merial and behind Alea. Virion may not be in his prime anymore, but that didn't mean he wouldn't go down without a fight, especially to protect his son and daughter-in-law.

"Blaine," Priscilla said sternly, glaring at her husband, not showing an ounce of fear. "Stop this."

Blaine laughed like a maniac, "You think I will stop just because you say so?" He shook his head and grinned. "I always did think you were an idiot, my dear wife." He raised the artifact, and Varay groaned in pain as she tried to resist its control over her. "And now, I am going to show you what happens when you threaten my power."

"Spineless coward!" Merial snapped, and Blaine's head whirled to her, glaring at her murderously.

Alduin held his arm out in front of his wife protectively while staring down Blaine. Virion and Alea both had their focus on Varay, not knowing when Blaine would order her to strike.

Blaine smiled darkly at Merial, "Ah, Queen Merial. Thank you for being the first volunteer to experience my wrath!" Blaine pointed the artifact at Merial and yelled, "Varay! Kill the elven Queen!"

Alea and Virion got into defensive stances, Alea gritting her teeth in frustration. Alea was well aware that Varay was the strongest of the six Lances. In a fight between the two of them, Alea would give it her all, but she wasn't sure she could win against Varay.

Virion's eyes flicked to Alea, seeing the nervousness on her face. He knew she was thinking about their power difference since he was, too. He looked back at Varay with a determined look, prepared to defend his family to his last breath, and activated the second phase of his beast will.

Blaine grinned sinisterly at Virion, "Not even your beast will can save you, old man!"

Blaine stared at the two elves who were prepared to take on his Lance when his grin slowly began to fade. Confusion washed over him when Varay didn't attack, and he looked back at her over his shoulder. His eyes widened with surprise, seeing Varay standing there, sweating profusely.

Varay had her eyes and lips shut tight, so tight her pink lips had turned white. Her entire body was shaking as she put every effort, every ounce of willpower she had, in resisting Blaine's control. It was pure agony for her. The pain her body felt from her resisting the artifact effects felt like she was being stabbed and burned all over her body repeatedly.

Anger flared within Blaine, not expecting Varay to be able to resist his control to such a degree. "Varay!!" Blaine yelled at the top of his lungs, putting all his rage into his voice and command. Varay yelled as the pain she felt increased. "Kill them!"

Blaine's command broke through, and Varay went wide-eyed with desperation and fear—the desperation for someone, anyone, to stop her. It felt like needles were in her body as Varay formed an ice sword in her right hand. Varay's sorrowful eyes flicked to Alea, not wanting to do this.

Alea looked at Varay remorsefully, knowing this wasn't her fault. Alea wanted to help her, but she didn't know how.

"Alea!" Varay yelled urgently as she got into an attack stance. "Watch out!"